From online quarantine meetings, crossover mods, and an overabundance of eggs galore, Animal Crossing: New Horizons topped the charts as one of the top selling games on the Nintendo Switch so far. Despite the release of DOOM Eternal and Final Fantasy VII, there are plenty of people are still enjoying the island life and that includes the people of Hong Kong.

In recent news, China has curbed the distribution of Animal Crossing: New Horizons from their shelves. After news of Hong Kong activists using the game as another platform to spread their message of democracy, it looks like the Chinese government decided it was time to take out the ban hammer. Thanks to a report by Wired UK, players are circulating messages of “Free Hong Kong” and “Revolution Now” as an extension of protests that escalated last year. Below is an example of someone reporting Hong Kong activists:

This is how #hongkong ppl spend our time during coronavirus lockdown – villain hitting in #animalcrossing, the villain is #CarrieLam, the worst governor in #hongkong history.#AnimalCrossingNewHorizons#StandWithHK pic.twitter.com/K5AbOTl9tD

— Studio Incendo (@studioincendo) April 1, 2020

Despite COVID-19 currently appearing on television headlines, the people of Hong Kong are still fighting for democracy in their country. “Animal Crossing is a place without political censorship so it is a good place to continue our fight,” said Joshua Wong, a well-known figure of the 2014 Umbrella Movement. “Even lawmakers in Hong Kong are playing this game.”

Although Animal Crossing: New Horizons isn’t technically banned from China, it’s one of many titles being “tightly controlled” in terms of retail distribution. According to Reuters (via DualShockers), sites such as Taobao, Pinduoduo, and other vendors show no results when searching for the Nintendo title. It looks like folks in Hong Kong will have to find ways to get their fix of the island life on unofficial markets.

What do you think about China’s move to control sales of Animal Crossing: New Horizons? Do you think Hong Kong activists are in the wrong? Let us know what you think in the comments section below or start a conversation on Don’t Feed the Gamers Facebook page. To stay up to date on gaming and entertainment news as it happens, follow us on Twitter! Here are some of our latest:

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